A pet wellness plan is essential to being a responsible pet owner. It is designed to provide routine care for your pet, making sure that they stay healthy and happy throughout their life. Depending on the plan, it can cover numerous preventive, diagnostic, and treatment services.
Read on to learn more.
What pet services are included in a pet wellness plan?
To help you understand a vet wellness plan even better, below are the general services included:
1. Vaccinations
Vaccines aid in protecting pets from diseases and infections. A lot of pet wellness plans cover core vaccines, such as rabies, parvo, and distemper. Some may even cover the fee of non-core vaccinations, such as kennel cough or bordetella.
2. Routine Examinations
Most pet wellness plans include regular examinations for your pet, such as yearly or semi-annual checkups. These examinations help ensure your pet is in good shape and free from any underlying conditions.
Many plans even provide discount rates on additional tests and services performed throughout the assessment. If you are interested in enrolling your pet in a wellness plan, you can search “pet wellness plans near me” online to find vet clinics in your region that provide this healthcare service.
3. Parasite Prevention and Control
Fleas, ticks, and other parasites can endanger a pet’s health. With most pet wellness plans, you will likely get products like flea collars or preventatives at a reduced price. Some plans might even cover the cost of treatments for existing parasite infections.
4. Nutrition Counseling
Pet wellness plans often include nutritional counseling to ensure your pet gets the ideal balance of nutrients. This can help you choose the right food for your pet’s lifestyle and age and provide guidance on portion control and treats.
5. Behavioral Training
Numerous pet wellness plans cover some behavioral training to aid in correcting any issues your pet might have. This may include courses or individual consultations with a trained professional who can advise you on addressing particular issues.
6. Diagnostics/Laboratory Tests
Pets need regular diagnostics and laboratory tests to detect any underlying disease beforehand. Pet wellness plans commonly cover routine lab tests like:
- Urinalysis
- Fecal testing for parasites
- Complete blood count (CBC)
- Thyroid testing
- Diabetes testing
- Heartworm/Lyme disease tests
7. Spay and Neuter Services
Most pet wellness plans include the charge of spaying and neutering services for both dogs and cats. These services help ensure that your pet does not contribute to the overpopulation of pets in shelters.
8. Prescription Medication Coverage
Several plans also cover prescription medications, such as antibiotics or flea-prevention products. This could save you funds on treatment expenses if your pet gets sick or wounded.
9. Dental Care
Many vet wellness plans include preventive dental care, such as routine teeth cleaning or polishing. Some may also offer discounts on additional treatments like fillings or extractions when required.
10. Grooming Services
Bathing and grooming services are a valuable part of pet wellness plans. Regular pet grooming helps keep your pet’s layer and skin healthier and can help detect potential health problems before they become severe.
Most plans provide discounted rates for grooming services, such as brushing, bathing, nail clipping, ear cleaning, anal sac expression, and de-matting. Plus, these services help reduce the amount of shedding around your home.
Pet Wellness Exam Vs. Pet Health Insurance
When choosing a pet wellness plan, you should know the difference between a pet wellness exam and pet health insurance. A pet wellness plan typically consists of preventative care services that help maintain your pet’s overall health.
On the other hand, pet health insurance covers medical expenses related to accidents, operations like surgery, non-preventive treatments, and chronic ailments. But standard pet health insurance may not cover pre-existing health conditions.
When deciding between the two, consider your pet’s needs and determine which plan will provide them with the most reliable coverage. Pet wellness plans are an excellent option for pets who need routine checkups, vaccinations, parasite prevention and control, nutritional counseling, and behavioral training. However, if you have a pet with any existing health problems or are worried about unforeseen medical expenses later on, pet health insurance might be a better pick.
Key Takeaways
Pet wellness plans are a great way to ensure your pet receives the care they need to remain healthy and happy. These plans typically include preventive care services such as vaccinations, parasite prevention, dietary counseling, behavioral training, as well as oral care. In addition, some plans may also provide reduced rates on spay/neuter services, prescription medications, and grooming.
While these can be a valuable source for keeping your pet healthy, keep in mind that they don’t cover medical expenses related to unfortunate incidents or chronic health problems like pet health insurance does.