Best Pet Insurance for Kittens

As pet parents, your cat is a very important member of your family, so you want to do everything you can to ensure your cat receives the best possible medical care. Several insurers provide pet insurance, but which one is the best pet insurance for kittens? Different pet insurance companies offer various pet insurance plans, and it's important to choose the one that will best cover your vet bills.

Keep reading for a detailed look into pet insurance and the best pet cat and kitten insurance providers on the market. 

What is Covered by a Pet Insurance Policy?

What’s covered in a pet insurance policy varies by provider. Pet owners will need to examine the coverage options closely to see what you are paying for in a pet insurance policy. Depending on the type of pet insurance plan you choose, here are some of the types of pet-care services provided by pet insurance policies: 

Accidents

Accident coverage will pay for medical costs when your pet is injured because of an accident. The types of injuries often covered by accident coverage include broken bones, abrasions, cuts, bite wounds and objects ingested (including toxic substances). In addition, accident coverage may pay for surgery, hospital stays or other types of treatments to help your pet recover.

Illnesses 

The types of illness covered by a pet insurance policy vary by carrier, but most insurers cover common hereditary conditions or chronic conditions. Depending on what type of illnesses your pet insurance provider covers, you will be reimbursed for out-of-pocket medical expenses resulting from ear infections, diabetes, hip dysplasia or even cancer.

Wellness and Preventative Care

Wellness and preventative care for pets is essential — especially when they are young. Wellness protection covers routine visits and examination costs, vaccinations, screenings, preventive heartworm or flea and tick medications. Sometimes, wellness care will also cover teeth and ear cleanings.

Diagnostic and Testing Services

If your cat is ill and you visit your veterinarian, you will likely have diagnostic services to determine your pet’s illness or condition on the cat insurance plan. Diagnostic procedures include X-rays, bloodwork, ultrasound and, perhaps, surgery.

Prescriptions, Food and Pet Supplements

Medication will often play an essential role in returning your pet to good health after an illness or injury. Pet insurance covers prescribed medications to treat acute or chronic diseases or conditions. It may also cover certain pet supplements to treat infections or prevent illness.

Medical Procedures

Your pet insurance policy will cover any necessary medical procedures needed because of an accident or illness, including emergency surgery, endoscopy, tooth extraction or other procedures.

Behavioral Therapy

Unfortunately, some pets demonstrate behavioral problems that can disrupt your home and family. Behavior therapy addresses certain habits pets can possess that may cause issues like excessive licking, marking, digging, pacing or other behavioral problems that can become disruptive.

Alternative Therapy

Some pet treatment centers provide alternative therapy treatments to address pet conditions. These alternative treatments include laser therapy, physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, acupuncture and chiropractic treatments.

Is There Anything Not Covered by Pet Insurance?

Pet insurance helps you pay for medical care for many illnesses a kitten may experience. However, there are certain veterinary costs not covered by pet insurance. For example, most pet insurance plans do not cover preexisting conditions. That would be a condition your pet had before you purchased pet insurance.

Some pet policies also do not cover elective procedures such as declawing. Other standard exclusions to pet insurance coverage are age restrictions and pregnancy or birth-related costs, so check your policy carefully if you have questions about whether any type of illness or medical procedure is covered.

Who Benefits From Pet Insurance?

All pet owners can benefit from pet insurance. Sure, you may think you can handle the expenses, but regular pet wellness visits can get expensive fast, not to mention covering any illnesses or injuries. It can help you prepare your pet for travel, too. Cat insurance could help keep your pocketbook safe from all the medical expenses a kitten can bring, especially in the first year.

Why Get Pet Insurance for Kittens?

A lot is going on with kittens in their first year of life, and you may need help paying for that. When you first introduce them into your home, kittens can be sensitive to new environments and may show signs of distress or illness.

If you have other pets, they will have to get used to their new kitten companion, and there may be an altercation between the pets that could cause your kitten to have an injury that needs to be treated. These are just a few examples of what can happen in your new kitten’s first year. So, it’s good to be financially prepared for medical expenses.

Pet Insurance for Kittens Specifics

A few insurers cover congenital disabilities and other issues like heart disease. You should consider whether a pet plan provides this coverage as it is something you may need for your kitten in the future. For example, Himalayan cats have a genetic disability where their nose is between their eyes, which causes sinus issues. They may need to have their sinuses opened up, and you will need to know whether your pet insurance policy covers this. Some purebred cat breeds also have joint issues, which can cause health problems.

Find out whether grooming is included with your pet insurance policy. Some breeds of cats need a lot of help in this area, particularly long-hair and short-hair cat breeds.

Your kitten will need several types of medications and vaccines within the first year, so make sure you have suitable coverage for prescriptions and wellness services like vaccinations. Your kitten may also require a special diet, so check whether food is one of the covered services. 

Here are some of the best pet insurers, according to Benzinga’s research, to help you get started.

Try Chewy Care Plus

Chewy Care Plus is a robust and comprehensive wellness and insurance plan for cats and dogs. Wellness coverage includes preventative care, routine vet visits, vaccines and assorted medications.

Accident and illness coverage helps your pets when they are sick and need to go to the vet on an emergency basis. This might include sickness, injuries and orthopedic issues. Additionally, your pets might need care for age-related conditions, chronic conditions, digestive issues and more. 

Best for regular checkups, you can get 24/7 customer care and unlimited access to licensed veterinarians. 

Is Pet Insurance for Kittens Worth the Cost?

As you can see, a kitten has a lot of medical expenses in the first year. If you think you may need help paying for these expenses, a pet insurance policy could save you from some financial worries. Be sure to shop around and compare coverage options to find the best value for your dollar.

As always, make sure to visit Benzinga often for more insurance information and financial advice. 

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