Alyssa Watson, DVM, and Beth Molleson, DVM, debate the role of the veterinary team when it comes to pet owner education and discuss if pet insurance is an obligation.
Their consensus:
- Pet insurance is not an obligation.
- Educating pet owners on the lifetime costs of veterinary pet care is important.
Source: Veterinary Breakroom, Clinician’s Brief. February 2024. Link. (19:59)
INSIGHTS: This is a good discussion. A recent AHD sponsor post revealed the importance of having tools to facilitate cost-of-veterinary care discussions with pet owners <Link>. Pawlicy Advisor is a convenient resource to share so pet owners can easily shop for a pet insurance policy <Link>.
Also see: Pet ownership stats 2024, Forbes Advisor, January 24, 2024. Link. A Forbes Advisor analysis found that essential dog expenses cost an average of $1,533 annually. This includes the cost of:
- Dog boarding for a seven-day vacation: $253.00
- Veterinary care: $679.50
- Pet insurance: $601.01
Having pet insurance is like putting a leash on potential vet costs so they don’t run out of control.” – Michelle Megna