With pets, prepare for the unexpected

By Beth Leermakers

“My dog has been scratching for months. It’s constant. His hair is falling out. I don’t have vet money, what can I do? He has to get some relief. Please help me find a solution.”

I’m not surprised this pet parent, who posted this heartfelt plea in Nextdoor, can’t afford a vet visit. Pet parents know all too well just how expensive even routine veterinary care can be. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association’s 2025 Pet Ownership and Demographic Survey, pet parents spend $598 for dogs and $529 for cats per year for veterinary care. If your pet has a medical condition or emergency, you can double (or more!) those expenses. 

In Dallas, the average cost of treating a dog’s flea allergy (the best-case scenario for hair loss) is $242 (plus the visit fee: $63), according to CareCredit’s Local Pet Care Cost Calculator. If your dog requires allergy testing, you’ll spend $204 (on average) for skin testing and/or $242 for blood testing. Ouch!

Pet health insurance may be a good solution. According to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association, pet insurance helps you 

• Cover the cost of unexpected veterinary care.

• Make medical treatment more affordable when your pet becomes sick or injured. 

• Manage routine care (depending on the type of coverage you choose).

Types of pet 

insurance coverage:

Accident-Only: Covers injuries such as broken bones, cuts, toxic ingestion or other sudden accidents. This is typically the least expensive plan because it’s the most limited. 

Accident and Illness: Covers injuries plus illnesses such as infections, digestive issues, cancer, diabetes, allergies and chronic conditions. This is the most common plan.

Preventive or Wellness Add-Ons: This optional coverage may reimburse you for routine care like vaccinations, annual exams, heartworm testing, dental cleanings and parasite prevention. I recently paid $325 for two vet visits for my labrador’s exam, heartworm test and vaccinations (due on different dates, of course). At those prices, the wellness add-on makes sense. 

Read the fine print. Know what’s covered — and isn’t — before you sign up. 

Common exclusions:

• Pre-existing conditions (illnesses or injuries that began before coverage started)

• Cosmetic or elective procedures

• Routine care unless you purchase a wellness add-on. 

Read the definition of “accident” carefully. Some emergency situations (such as your dog getting into the garbage and eating chicken bones) may not be considered an accident. Some plans exclude treatment of hereditary conditions based on your dog’s breed. For example, respiratory problems in English bulldogs may not be covered.

What Does Pet Insurance Cost?

The monthly premium cost depends on several factors, including:

• Age (seniors are more expensive) 

• Breed (you’ll pay more for breeds with known health risks)

• Location (veterinary costs vary by geographic area)

• Coverage: Type of plan, deductible, reimbursement rate. For example, Progressive Pet Insurance policies cost about $46.73 per month on average. Lemonade pet insurance in Dallas averages about $35 to $40 per month. On average, across different ages, breeds and locations. Lemonade pet parents pay around $28/month for cats and $47/month for dogs.

Is Pet Insurance Worth It?

Pet insurance offers peace of mind, helping you prepare for unexpected medical costs. Insurance lets you choose treatment options for your sick or injured pet based on veterinary needs instead of financial constraints. 

Questions to Consider:

• Would an unexpected $1,500 vet bill be difficult to manage?

• Do you prefer predictable monthly expenses over unpredictable large ones?

• Do you have multiple pets or a breed with known health risks?

• Do you want to protect both your savings and your pet’s well-being?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, pet insurance may be right for you. 

How to Choose a Plan

When comparing providers, consider:

• Monthly premium

• Deductible options

• Reimbursement percentage

• Annual coverage limits

• Exclusions and waiting periods

• Claim submission process and turnaround time

Read sample policies and customer reviews to help you understand how each plan works. Check out U.S. News & World Report’s list of the best pet insurance in Texas. Lemonade and Pets Best rank highly. 

Pet insurance may help you save your beloved pet’s life. If you don’t purchase insurance, consider setting aside money for a veterinary emergency fund. Ask your vet about payment plans and check out CareCredit to cover unexpected expenses. The AVMA lists organizations that provide financial assistance with veterinary care costs. 

With pets, as with so many things in life, it’s wise to expect — and prepare for — the unexpected.