9 Comments → “I’m On A Fixed Income With 3 Cats. Does Any Cat Owner Know Of A Good Affordable Cat Insurance Plan?”
Bonnie Angel
2 years ago
I have had insurance in the past and found I came out ahead by putting the money in the bank every month. No matter what has happened the insurance has never covered a penny. Then the older they get ( and older means more illnesses) the less insurance pays.
Besides saving money for their health care may I suggest you read the following. It will save a fortune in vet bills.
Kittens and some cats, need to eat more and do best with free feeding. Bowls of wet food can be left out all day and night. Wet food is fine for 12 hours even if you feed raw. A wet food should have some water added and mashed in so your kitten gets extra water. Cats have a very low thirst drive and do not get enough water.
Wet food that is High Protein and low Carb under 10 % will keep a cat full longer too.
Avoid dry food like a plague. It is the leading cause for feline diabetes, kidney failure, UTI’s, Crystals in the urine causing blockages. Also obesity and many other problems.
Cats swallow most of the dry food if you look at their barf it is whole and a few of the pieces shatter. The vets feel it is good for cats teeth because the pet food reps tell them it is!!
< <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<…http://www.littlebigcat.com/index.php?ac…
The TRUTH!!!
Does Dry Food Clean the Teeth?
By Jean Hofve, DVM
Let's get this one straight once and for all: dry food does not clean your cat's teeth! In fact, dry food really has no benefits for the cat. It is merely a convenience for the guardian. If you haven't already read "Why Cats Need Canned Food", that's a good place to start in your quest for accurate, up-to-date information on feeding cats.
Most cats don't consistently chew dry food; they swallow it whole. Obviously, without contacting the teeth, there is zero effect on tartar accumulation. For cats who do chew dry food, whether consistently or occasionally, there is still little or no benefit. The kibbles shatter, so contact between the kibble and the teeth occurs only at the tips of the teeth. This is certainly not enough to make a difference in the formation of tartar and plaque, which most commonly builds up along (and underneath) the gumline at the base of the teeth.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<…
If you think of when you get hungry what fills you up the best? A bag of chips or cookies (Carbs) or a good piece of meat?
Cats need meat not carbs or veggies or fruit ever!!
Please read the first link to see everything I could write to you and decided to let an expert tell you. then chose a food that is canned from the 2nd list that meets the high protein low carb.
If your cat has loose stools or is throwing up alot or has food allergies and the vet doesn't find something wrong with them like cancer etc. Feeding raw usually takes care of those problems. In America you are lucky you can even order raw food that is delivered to the door frozen. Read the below for info. Some cats refuse raw and then you need to pick a good food from the lists below. Wellness is a very good food - the grain free but it is higher in fat and can make a cat sick. If it is ok with your cat it can help put on weight. There are many good middle type foods that can be very good for your cat and not break the budget too. http://www.catinfo.org
read this article for all the healthy choices
in food for your cat. http://www.geocities.com/jmpeerson/ca...
Janet and Binky’s Cat food chart
Thinking of letting your cat go outdoors? Read this!!http://www.littlebigcat.com/index.php?ac…
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
I gave my cat diabetes after feeding her canned with gravy (gravy equals carbs) and lots of dry. I believe 100% that dry gave her diabetes.
I study cat health daily.
Whiskas is now advertising in Canada that cats need wet canned food to be healthy. They of course still want to sell dry so they are saying they need dry also. At least it is a start.
I have been owned by cats for 61 years.
urbantig
2 years ago
I don’t know where you live so not sure if I can help. Pet insurance in the UK is very good (much better than in the US it seems) but to an extent you get what you pay for. The best thing is to get quotes for lots of companies and compare them, but make sure you look closely at the small print. Things to look out for are
1. Cover per year is better than cover per condition (means they renew the amt each year so if your cat gets a chronic condition they won’t stop paying out). Go for as much cover as you can afford
2. You want lifetime cover. That means they will continue to renew your cover (subject to premiums being paid) even if your pet gets ill and they won’t stop the cover at a certain age
3. Check the excess – that’s the amt of each claim you have to pay. It tends to increase as the cat gets older, and often ends up as a % of the cost rather than a fixed amt. Be wary of anyone offering a nil excess – it’s not sustainable and they will likely do away with it when you come to renew
4. Pay attention to exclusions and make sure you know exactly what is and isn’t covered. Some include dentals while others will only pay for dental care as the result of an accident.
In the UK, petplan and Axa are good but there are lots out there. You tend to get what you pay for. Some of the cheaper policies don’t offer much cover so can be a false economy.
Lynn
2 years ago
You re kidding right??
sapphire
2 years ago
I don’t know the prices of the pet insurances
Most Petsmart have a very reasonably priced pet clinic http://www.banfield.net/
and they may know what pet insurance is most reasonable.
blazenma
2 years ago
why would you need cat insurance????????????
Eva
2 years ago
I have ASPCA, check it out!
Tapestry
2 years ago
Those pet insurance plans are just taking your money. You have to pay up front the first couple of hundred and if all you get is shots it will never get to the deductible amount.
Save your money, its not for normal people, maybe those who have show dogs but certainly not for people on fixed incomes.
Kate A
2 years ago
The best idea is to start a savings fund for your cats. You can also get a care credit account to help with emergencies. The best thing you can do for your cats’ health is to keep them inside. Inside cats are much less likely to have catastrophic (excuse pun) things happen to them. In addition, you can start skipping vaccines other than rabies (as long as they don’t go outside and are not boarding). Deworm your cats regularly. And don’t add any more animals to your household if you are already strapped for cash.
bydesign
2 years ago
If you live in the UK, Argos do a really cheap one that’s good.
It’s only like £5 a month.
And DO get insurance for your cats.
If they get really sick and you can’t afford it, they’ll have to be put down. Whereas if you had insurance, everything would be sorted and paid.
So, please do look into it!
Bonnie Angel
2 years ago
I have had insurance in the past and found I came out ahead by putting the money in the bank every month. No matter what has happened the insurance has never covered a penny. Then the older they get ( and older means more illnesses) the less insurance pays.
Besides saving money for their health care may I suggest you read the following. It will save a fortune in vet bills.
Kittens and some cats, need to eat more and do best with free feeding. Bowls of wet food can be left out all day and night. Wet food is fine for 12 hours even if you feed raw. A wet food should have some water added and mashed in so your kitten gets extra water. Cats have a very low thirst drive and do not get enough water.
Wet food that is High Protein and low Carb under 10 % will keep a cat full longer too.
Avoid dry food like a plague. It is the leading cause for feline diabetes, kidney failure, UTI’s, Crystals in the urine causing blockages. Also obesity and many other problems.
Cats swallow most of the dry food if you look at their barf it is whole and a few of the pieces shatter. The vets feel it is good for cats teeth because the pet food reps tell them it is!!
< <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<…http://www.littlebigcat.com/index.php?ac…
The TRUTH!!!
Does Dry Food Clean the Teeth?
By Jean Hofve, DVM
Let's get this one straight once and for all: dry food does not clean your cat's teeth! In fact, dry food really has no benefits for the cat. It is merely a convenience for the guardian. If you haven't already read "Why Cats Need Canned Food", that's a good place to start in your quest for accurate, up-to-date information on feeding cats.
Most cats don't consistently chew dry food; they swallow it whole. Obviously, without contacting the teeth, there is zero effect on tartar accumulation. For cats who do chew dry food, whether consistently or occasionally, there is still little or no benefit. The kibbles shatter, so contact between the kibble and the teeth occurs only at the tips of the teeth. This is certainly not enough to make a difference in the formation of tartar and plaque, which most commonly builds up along (and underneath) the gumline at the base of the teeth.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<…
If you think of when you get hungry what fills you up the best? A bag of chips or cookies (Carbs) or a good piece of meat?
Cats need meat not carbs or veggies or fruit ever!!
Please read the first link to see everything I could write to you and decided to let an expert tell you. then chose a food that is canned from the 2nd list that meets the high protein low carb.
If your cat has loose stools or is throwing up alot or has food allergies and the vet doesn't find something wrong with them like cancer etc. Feeding raw usually takes care of those problems. In America you are lucky you can even order raw food that is delivered to the door frozen. Read the below for info. Some cats refuse raw and then you need to pick a good food from the lists below. Wellness is a very good food - the grain free but it is higher in fat and can make a cat sick. If it is ok with your cat it can help put on weight. There are many good middle type foods that can be very good for your cat and not break the budget too. http://www.catinfo.org
read this article for all the healthy choices
in food for your cat. http://www.geocities.com/jmpeerson/ca...
Janet and Binky’s Cat food chart
Thinking of letting your cat go outdoors? Read this!!http://www.littlebigcat.com/index.php?ac…
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
I gave my cat diabetes after feeding her canned with gravy (gravy equals carbs) and lots of dry. I believe 100% that dry gave her diabetes.
I study cat health daily.
Whiskas is now advertising in Canada that cats need wet canned food to be healthy. They of course still want to sell dry so they are saying they need dry also. At least it is a start.
I have been owned by cats for 61 years.
urbantig
2 years ago
I don’t know where you live so not sure if I can help. Pet insurance in the UK is very good (much better than in the US it seems) but to an extent you get what you pay for. The best thing is to get quotes for lots of companies and compare them, but make sure you look closely at the small print. Things to look out for are
1. Cover per year is better than cover per condition (means they renew the amt each year so if your cat gets a chronic condition they won’t stop paying out). Go for as much cover as you can afford
2. You want lifetime cover. That means they will continue to renew your cover (subject to premiums being paid) even if your pet gets ill and they won’t stop the cover at a certain age
3. Check the excess – that’s the amt of each claim you have to pay. It tends to increase as the cat gets older, and often ends up as a % of the cost rather than a fixed amt. Be wary of anyone offering a nil excess – it’s not sustainable and they will likely do away with it when you come to renew
4. Pay attention to exclusions and make sure you know exactly what is and isn’t covered. Some include dentals while others will only pay for dental care as the result of an accident.
In the UK, petplan and Axa are good but there are lots out there. You tend to get what you pay for. Some of the cheaper policies don’t offer much cover so can be a false economy.
Lynn
2 years ago
You re kidding right??
sapphire
2 years ago
I don’t know the prices of the pet insurances
Most Petsmart have a very reasonably priced pet clinic http://www.banfield.net/
and they may know what pet insurance is most reasonable.
blazenma
2 years ago
why would you need cat insurance????????????
Eva
2 years ago
I have ASPCA, check it out!
Tapestry
2 years ago
Those pet insurance plans are just taking your money. You have to pay up front the first couple of hundred and if all you get is shots it will never get to the deductible amount.
Save your money, its not for normal people, maybe those who have show dogs but certainly not for people on fixed incomes.
Kate A
2 years ago
The best idea is to start a savings fund for your cats. You can also get a care credit account to help with emergencies. The best thing you can do for your cats’ health is to keep them inside. Inside cats are much less likely to have catastrophic (excuse pun) things happen to them. In addition, you can start skipping vaccines other than rabies (as long as they don’t go outside and are not boarding). Deworm your cats regularly. And don’t add any more animals to your household if you are already strapped for cash.
bydesign
2 years ago
If you live in the UK, Argos do a really cheap one that’s good.
It’s only like £5 a month.
And DO get insurance for your cats.
If they get really sick and you can’t afford it, they’ll have to be put down. Whereas if you had insurance, everything would be sorted and paid.
So, please do look into it!